Thailand’s government has enacted sweeping new restrictions on cannabis sales, reclassifying the plant as a controlled substance and requiring prescriptions for all purchases, in a move that threatens the survival of over 18,000 cannabis businesses nationwide.
Thailand has introduced a significant policy reversal on cannabis use, issuing new health regulations that require all cannabis sales to be conducted under medical supervision. The decision, announced on June 25, 2025, is expected to shutter thousands of cannabis shops across the country that have operated largely unregulated since the plant’s decriminalization in 2022.
Under the order signed by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, cannabis will soon be officially reclassified as a controlled herbal substance. Only patients with certified prescriptions from licensed medical practitioners—including doctors, dentists, and traditional healers—will be permitted to purchase cannabis. Any outlet selling products for non-medical use will be closed.
The new regulations take effect once published in the Royal Gazette, anticipated within days. The ministry also outlined strict compliance protocols: dispensaries must verify doctor registration numbers, treatment plans, and dosage limits, with prescriptions capped at 30 grams per month. Authorities have promised random inspections and upcoming training for medical professionals and shop owners to ensure adherence.
The move marks a sharp pivot from the previous administration’s policy, which removed cannabis from the narcotics list and encouraged its cultivation and retail use, spearheaded by the Bhumjaithai Party. Since then, the industry has grown rapidly, with estimates placing its value at over US$1 billion. However, lax regulation and widespread availability have drawn mounting criticism, especially from residents and tourists concerned about public use.
Phuket alone is home to over 1,500 cannabis shops, and nationwide estimates suggest up to 18,000 retailers—many of whom now face closure. Damrongkieat Pinijkarn of the Pattaya Entertainment Association said public complaints had surged, especially in tourist areas where cannabis is often consumed in public. He welcomed the crackdown as a means of restoring community standards and urged clear communication to foreign visitors.
The current government, led by the Pheu Thai Party, cited a rise in cannabis misuse and child access as driving factors behind the shift. Officials from the Ministry of Public Health and the Narcotics Control Board pointed to research linking increased addiction rates to the 2022 policy change. In Roi Et province, for example, officials report recreational use among minors as young as 15.
While enforcement will tighten, the government says medical cannabis businesses will receive support. Minister Somsak emphasized that the new rules are not intended to penalize compliant operators, and that certified products from legal sources will still be permitted. “This is about addressing social problems, not politics,” added Thanakrit Jit-areerat, an assistant to the health minister.
Industry stakeholders have expressed concern and frustration. Pongchanok Wisetraksakul, a manager at a Phuket dispensary, argued that the focus should have been on targeting illegal and unlicensed shops rather than reclassifying the entire industry. Many small businesses, he noted, have invested between 500,000 and 10 million baht in their operations and may now be left without compensation or recourse.
Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, vice-president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, proposed creating designated cannabis zones as a compromise, allowing tourism-oriented businesses to continue operating under supervision. Cannabis advocate Chokwan “Kitty” Chopaka criticised the policy flip-flop, calling it damaging to investor confidence and the broader development of the industry.
Despite the regulatory tightening, cannabis shops on Bangkok’s Khao San Road remained open, with tourists continuing to explore the venues. “It’s everywhere now—how are they going to reverse this?” asked Daniel Wolf, an Australian tourist. “It’s insane.”
The Department of Traditional and Alternative Medicine plans to begin training sessions for doctors on July 9, while enforcement bodies are stepping up efforts to shut down illegal operations and ensure product quality from certified cultivators.
